1932 – 2018

Longtime Crescenta Valley resident Barbara Jean Falkenstien lost her lengthy and hard-fought battle with Alzheimer’s on Jan. 15. She leaves behind her husband of 65 years, Durward “Bud” Falkenstien, as well as two married daughters, Cheri Doyle and Diana Chase, four grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Born in Whittier, California in 1932, Barbara Putnam grew up in Los Angeles where she attended Washington High School and was a very well liked member of Tri-Y, Knights and Ladies and other popular social clubs. She met Bud Falkenstien on a sunny day at Belmont Shores in 1951 and the two were married the next year.

In 1961, Barbara and Bud bought their home in La Crescenta where they lived ever since. In addition to raising her two daughters, Barbara was a valued corporate secretary for Pro Realty before being hired away for her legendary bookkeeping skills by Dorn Platz Realty in Glendale. She finally retired from Remax Realty in La Crescenta, a position she took to be closer to her beloved home.

When not parenting or bookkeeping for a realty office, Barbara was an accomplished chef and creative seamstress who loved to cook, quilt and sew clothes for her daughters and grandkids. She and Bud would often pack up their camper/RV and head up Highway 395 for the Eastern Sierras where they spent their hard-earned vacation days camping and fishing at June Lake loop and Twin Lakes outside of Bridgeport, California.

A memorial service for Barbara will be held at Crippen Mortuary, 2900 Honolulu Ave. in Montrose on Friday at 11 a.m. with her grandson Pastor Sean Palmer of Hawaii officiating. A family graveside service will follow immediately at Forest Lawn Glendale.

Funeral Directors CrippenMortuary.com